







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Thanks father, where is Bear's lead? | |
| By the way, my name's Mike, what's yours? | |
| Do you know her well? | |
| Hang on a minute, they are both 300 gr and the same brand. | |
| We are back, where is Bear? | |
| Because we know them and have their mobile numbers? | |
| I really don't want to see her again! | |
| Let me check... when is best for you? | |
| I'm really sorry to hear that, mate! | |
| Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | |
| Hello my friend, how are you? | |
| That's nice, I guess I like the house very much! | |
| The cat is not actually mine, it's my girlfriend's cat. | |
| Hey, the water is boiling, do you want me to pour it into a pot? | |
| But on the ad it says the house is fully furnished! | |
| I wasn't expecting anything like this to happen, so I have no plan. | |
| Thanks, but I don't have time to stay. | |
| I'm just teasing you, dear, 200 degrees is okay! | |
| Is it hay fever? I've got some pills for it! | |
| I'm really sorry, what kind of sickness is it? | |